Britain leaving the European Union (Brexit)

Prepare for EU Exit

Leaving the EU means there will be a number of changes taking place that will affect businesses, citizens, EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU. To find the latest guidance and information on what these changes are, how they could affect you, and what steps you can take to prepare, go to gov.uk/euexit.

Background

Banksy Mural, Townwall Street, Dover

On 23rd June 2016, the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU):

Nationally, the result of the referendum was that 17.4 million people (51.9% of the total) voted to leave the EU, and 16.1 million (48.1%) voted to remain.

In the Dover district, 40,410 people (62.2%) voted to leave and 24,606 (37.8%) voted to remain in the EU.

The UK Government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty of the European Union in March 2017, triggering a two-year process of negotiations, culminating in the UK formally leaving the European Union on 29th March 2019 or at the end of any agreed extension or transition period.

When is the UK leaving the EU?

The situation on the UK leaving the EU keeps changing, although the Government has said it is still committed to trying to leave the EU with a deal as soon as possible. The EU and UK have agreed a further delay to Brexit until 31 October 2019. The UK could leave earlier if MPs ratify a withdrawal agreement. The country will now take part in European elections on 23 May 2019; if it did not the UK would have to leave the EU on 1 June 2019 without a deal.